By CAROL BRODIE

I think maybe spring is finally here to stay as our hummingbird population has now increased. We had only seen a couple of hummingbirds until last Friday, May 30, when we had at least six of them, maybe more, zipping back and forth to the feeders. They sure are busy little birds!

Along our woods, I’ve heard the little yellowthroats singing but I haven’t been able to spot them yet. They seem to like to stay hidden in the lilac bushes and undergrowth along the woods. Our pair of catbirds were busily hopping around in our garden one day looking for bugs. We thought our pair of cardinals had left because we hadn’t seen them in about a week.

But then last Friday, just about dusk, I noticed the female perching on the edge of the feeder, and a day or so before, we’d seen the male as he flew from the feeder. I think maybe they now have a family of little ones in the nest and that’s why we haven’t seen them.

Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthday wishes go out to Jack Thompson, Clayton Schneegas, Phyllis VanDewerker, Ruthie Hendricks, and Kevin VanBuren.

Anniversary wishes go to Charley and Debbie Brodie. Birth Announcement Congratulations to Pastor Jason and Kelly Thompson, of Flat Creek-Gilboa, on the birth of their third son. Baby Caleb Willis Thompson was born at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, May 30, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. He weighed nine pounds and 14 ounces and was 22 inches long.

He joins brothers, Kyle, five years old, and Cody, three years old, at home. I spoke to Pastor Jason, via telephone, at the hospital on Saturday morning, and he said mother and baby were both doing great. He also said his dad, Willis Thompson, of Troy, was very excited when he heard the news.

Memorial Day

Many people from the area attended the Memorial Day weekend events, and the parade on Monday, in Cherry Valley.

Dad, Mom and I spent Memorial Day with my sister and brother-in-law, Barb and Mick Kineke, of Mohawk. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and actually got up to 86 degrees there. Dad and I took a walk down Robinson Road, to look at the work that’s been being done to make repairs where the road washed out with the 2006 summer flood. They have the pond pretty well drained now and repairs seem to be moving right along.

After we got back to the house, I made use of their lawn swing where I enjoyed watching and listening to the birds as I read awhile. Their son, Kevin, and his friend, Erica Usyk, of Ilion, and Mick’s dad, Harry Kineke, of Richfield Springs, then joined us for a picnic on the front porch, where we enjoyed lots of delicious food. Later, Barb, Mom and I drove up the road to visit Norma Spencer and her daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Tony.

Dick and June Hansen spent Memorial Day with their daughter and son-inlaw, Jane and Joe Dent, and children, Abby and William, in Oneonta, where they enjoyed a barbecue.

Expression of Sympathy An expression of sympathy goes to the family of Josephine “Josie” Anna Mickle- Gage, 81, who passed away on Friday, May 23, at A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta. Prior to going to the nursing home, Josie had lived in Stamford.

Josie, who was born in Pleasant Brook to Ralph and Amanda Gillett-Mickle on May 20, 1927, had celebrated her 81st birthday just three days prior to her death.

Bits and Pieces

Pastor Bill Wilson, who had spent the winter at his Nanticoke, Md., home, was called back here the last week of April to perform a funeral service for Leon Randall of Garrattsville.

My sister, Barb Kineke, of Mohawk, stopped in briefly to visit Dad, Mom and me on Thursday night, May 15, when she came to pick up our niece, Brandy Brodie, to take home with her to spend the night. On Friday, Barb and Brandy, along with Alice Wrisley, of Mohawk, rode with Cissy Moreau, of Ilion, as the four of them attended the Ladies Retreat at Word of Life Conference Center in Schroon Lake.

The theme of the retreat was “In His Steps” and they even had a shoe contest for the prettiest shoes in different categories. They attended meetings on Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. The special speaker was Jackie Roese, whom Barb said was very, very good. The special music was led by Lori Jean Smith, an exceptional violinist, who currently performs extensively and teaches private lessons in Florida. Lori Jean led the praise and worship singing time, accompanied by Amy Felt, on piano, who was also very exceptional. Barb says these ladies have a lot of talent that they use exclusively for the Lord.

They also both went to Cedarville University together. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Saturday night concert by Lori Jean and Amy as well.

Following the concert, there was a talent show where different ladies in the audience shared their talents. Among the talents shared were singing, skits, piano playing, Scripture reading, and even a comedian. Barb reports that the meals were better than any restaurant she’d ever gone to. After an enjoyable weekend of learning and being blessed, the ladies arrived back in Mohawk on Sunday, May 18.

Sonny Young and family attended the graduation of his daughter, Sonya Elizabeth Young, from the University of Albany, on Saturday, May 17, where there were over 2,000 in the graduating class. Sonya, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, also graduated with honors. She has accepted a position with J.T. Morgan and Chase and will be working and living in the Albany area.

On Friday, May 23, Pastor Bill Wilson started working at the Tourism Center booth, across from the Tepee, Cherry Valley.

He reports that twice the number of people stopped that first day as compared with the first day last year. Pastor Bill will be there working the booth every weekend, from Friday through Sunday.

Abby and William Dent, of Oneonta, spent Friday through Saturday, May 23 through 24, visiting their grandparents, Dick and June Hansen.

David and Sharon Thompson were dinner guests of their son and daughter-inlaw, Keith and Daphne Thompson, and daughter, Elizabeth Rose, of Morris, on Saturday, May 24.

Bob Guernsey, of Seward, and his great-grandson, Brendan Cousineau, of Leesville, called on Bob’s daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and David Thompson, on Sunday, May 25.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard DeVane, of Troy, called on Leland and Pat Mabie one day last week. Mr. DeVane loaned Pat a beautiful 16 by 16 sampler, in a frame, dated 1897. Pat says the sampler, embroidered in script, in very tiny stitch, is absolutely gorgeous. She said she has never seen anything like it before. It was done for N.J. Butler and also has on it Pastor F.G. Gaige, Christian Church of South Valley. This loaned item will be on display, for all to view, at the South Valley Community Hall during the next South Valley Women’s Club monthly dinner in June.

Have a great week, and remember to phone me at (607) 264-3225 with all of your news for this area.